Jeanne’s Review

Written and directed by Harris Dickinson, URCHIN is a remarkable piece of filmmaking. Starring Frank Dillane as Mike, a rough sleeper, a young man caught in an unforgiving cycle of joblessness and homelessness, Dickinson’s film is a reflection of the community in the UK where he grew up and his own efforts to stymie the challenges faced by those living on the streets.

Mike, an addict, has been surviving on the streets, but after a vicious attack on a man trying to help him, he ends up in prison. Upon his release, he is placed in a program where he is provided a temporary place to live and a job. Though he struggles with staying sober and the parameters of having a job, Mike begins to thrive. He makes new friends and starts listening to self-help tapes.

But, as often happens in precarious realities, Mike gets fired from his job, then the time allotted for his housing runs out, and he’s back on the streets again. He hits up his friend, Nathan (Dickinson in a small role), for a “loan”, which he blows on drugs and alcohol.

He does manage to get  another job picking up trash where he meets Andrea (Megan Northam), a fellow employee. Their friendship turns into a brief, alcohol and drug-fueled relationship, after which Mike spirals out of control.

Dillane is definitely the driving force behind URCHIN. His performance is astounding --- so incredibly raw and convincing. He’s electric --- and funny --- it’s impossible to look away. At Dickinson’s urging, he spent a lot of time preparing for this difficult role by connecting with various homeless charities, specifically Under One Sky, which Dickinson himself works with continually. To write that Dillane’s portrayal is inspired and revelatory is an understatement.

A great deal of credit also goes to Dickinson’s insightful, well-crafted screenplay. It’s a personal story for Dickinson and he consciously chose not to focus solely on drugs --- or the journey of a drug addict. And he infuses just enough humor so that URCHIN doesn’t become maudlin. It’s a heroic feature film debut.

Opinion: Strong See It Now!

David’s Review

It might be useful to know the dictionary definition of urchin: “a small child, especially one who behaves badly and is dirty or dressed in a messy way: a street urchin.” In URCHIN, we first meet the title character, Mike (Frank Dillane), as a homeless man begging for money on the streets of London.

Mike has a violent confrontation with a Black man whose only crime was an offer to help him. This leads to Mike’s arrest, but eventually he gets a reprieve by obtaining lodging in a hostel and a job as an assistant chef which he cannot hold. Mike, who is also a drug addict, is a time bomb waiting to go off and we’re never sure of what he’s capable of doing.

Dillane as Mike is in every scene. URCHIN’s 29-year-old writer/director/actor, Harris Dickinson, makes his feature length debut here. He also gave himself a small part as Nathan.

While his movie is certainly not the feel good film of the year, Dickinson manages to hold our interest with his riveting script and Dillane’s magnetic portrayal. Megan Northam plays Andrea, a co-worker of Mike’s and eventually his lover, or at least his sex partner. She, too, is worthy of our attention. Also of note is Diane Axford as Lynne, a social worker who helps Mike get back on his feet, at least initially.

URCHIN, at times, is difficult to digest, yet it’s impossible to not be entranced by Dillane’s performance. In fact, he was named Best Actor at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Opinion: See It Now!